F-16 Fighting Falcon News

South Korea selects BAE Systems to perform F-16 Avionics Upgrade

August 6, 2012 (by Neil Franz ) - The Republic of Korea has selected BAE Systems to upgrade the avionics and electronic systems for its fleet of F-16 aircraft.

ROKAF F-16C flight over the South Korean coastline. [ROKAF photo]

The Korean Government will deliver a Letter of Request (LOR) for BAE Systems U.S.-based Support Solutions business to be the sole source systems integration contractor for upgrading more than 130 F-16s. The work will be contracted through the U.S. Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales program.

"This is a strategic international win for us, significantly expanding our aircraft upgrade and modification business," said Dave Herr, president of BAE Systems Support Solutions. "We have extensive capabilities that span across BAE Systems, and I am confident that our team offers the best value to the customer.”

The total estimated addressable market for F-16 avionics upgrades is valued at greater than $3 billion internationally, covering more than 3,000 aircraft.

"This selection further demonstrates that we are a leading provider of integration, avionics and mission computers for F-16s, and we will continue to offer our capability to customers across the globe," said Gordon Eldridge, vice president and general manager of Support Solutions Aerospace Solutions business area.

BAE Systems provides approximately 40 percent of the mission equipment in the F-16 fleet worldwide. The company’s upgrade solution includes the Commercial Fire Control Computer, which is currently the highest throughput and most supportable mission computer in any F-16.

BAE Systems experience with the F-16 dates back to the original 1970s-era aircraft, and has included flight control systems and ground support. Additionally, the company supports 270 of the U.S. Air National Guard’s upgraded F-16s and 50 of the Turkish Air Force’s upgraded F-16s.

For the Korean fleet, BAE Systems will perform a range of services, including systems engineering and integration, software and electronics engineering, obsolescence management and logistics support. The work will be performed primarily at BAE Systems’ facilities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; and Warner Robins, Georgia. Work will also be conducted at the company’s aviation hangers in Mojave, California and Crestview, Florida.